Bunion Surgery: Before & After Pictures

Updated
3/21/2019

In this video we discuss several types of bunion correction surgery available today..

State-of-the-Art Bunion Correction Before & After Pictures

The state-of-the-art bunion correction techniques our surgeons helped develop allow most of our patients to immediately place weight on their foot after surgery. Pain control is an essential component in our approach and most patients report little or no need for pain medications.

Our bunion specialists are trained in all 44 variations of bunion surgery and have the highest success rates in the nation.Their experience lets them pick the right surgery for each individual patient.One type of surgery is NEVER right for everyone. Period. Read more the different types of bunion surgerieshere.

Lapidus bunionectomy and osteotomy tailor’s bunionectomy performed with hammertoe correction of the 2nd toe. After image taken approximately 3 months post surgery.

Osteotomy Bunionectomy and Osteotomy Tailor’s Bunionectomy

Osteotomy bunionectomy performed with an osteotomy tailor’s bunionectomy. After image taken approximately 3 weeks post surgery. Note that there is very minor bruising at this point and swelling is minimal.

Is Bunion Surgery Is Right For You?

Many people want to avoid bunion surgery as much as they can because they dread a long and painful recovery. Avoiding surgery is always a good idea and it is our goal with our patients.

Now some reading this may find that contradictory and might be wondering "why would a surgeon want to avoid performing surgery?" The answer is simple, because we personally want to avoid surgery for ourselves, whenever possible. So why wouldn't we try our best to give the same care to our patients?

Osteotomy Bunionectomy and Osteotomy Tailors Bunionectomy

"After" picture taken immediately following surgery. Note the bunion and bunionette (Tailor’s bunion) in the before picture.

Osteotomy Bunionectomy, Hammertoe Correction and Plantar Plate Repair

Bunion and hammertoe deformity correction, with drifting of the 1st and 2nd toes towards each other. "After picture" taken six weeks after surgery.

Bunion Surgery and Recovery Should Be a Pleasant and Comfortable Experience

Many patients who are faced with surgery, either when conservative treatments have no worked or their condition is so serious there are no other options, have concerns about how long it will take to get back on their feet or that it will hurt like crazy. These fears are certainly often well-founded, especially if they have done their homework reading about the surgical procedures online.

But Bunion correction technology and pain management have become much more advanced over the years, partially due to technologies, techniques and protocols we helped develop. We now teach these techniques to other doctors nationally and we are trying to improve care to as many people as we can since we know that most people who are not near us cannot travel to see us.

Bunionectomy Yelp Patient Review

The following five star Yelp review was posted by University Foot and Ankle bunion patient, Shabnam.

...From start to finish, before and after my bunion surgery, [my Dr.] and his staff took great care of me.

The surgery was fast and precise, with clean incisions and nearly painless recovery. I did not need to take any of my pain medication.

Everyone in his office is warm, friendly and knowledgeable, which makes the entire experience very smooth and pleasant.

Lapidus Bunionectomy Surgery

"After picture" taken at first post-op visit five days post-surgery.

Osteotomy Bunionectomy Surgery

"After picture" taken six weeks post-surgery.

Essentially Pain-Free Bunion Surgery

Despite pre-surgical fear of pain and recovery, virtually all our patients report they wish that had surgical correction sooner and hadn’t put it off as long as they did. This is remarkably rewarding for us.

Through our advances in surgical techniques such as our Forever Bunionectomy and Minvasive procedures, recovery time is drastically reduced, often allowing you to bear weight immediately.

Our Bunion Surgeons Control Pain By:

Taking great care of the tissue with surgical precision. Never “hacking away” at the tissue. This takes years of training and effort to perform good dissection.

A stable fixation to immobilize the bones. Hypermobility in the bones is one of the main causes of swelling and pain after surgery. Through the use of screw(s) and/or staple or plates, the bone is held properly in the area of correction resulting in less movement, less swelling and ultimately less painkiller use.

A proprietary long-acting local anesthesia cocktail. The longer a person is numb, the better the chance for them to get in bed, relax and heal.

Post-surgical anti-inflammation protocols and no major narcotics. In our hands, patients will rarely take more than one or two pain pills after surgery.

Fitting the patient with a stability boot to immobilize the foot. By holding the foot stable, there is less movement, resulting in less swelling and less pain.

We Rely on Advanced Surgical Technique to Control Pain, Not Just Drugs

We don’t rely on painkillers to keep our patients comfortable. Narcotics cause constipation and can be addictive. Unless the surgery is extensive, our patients rarely take over two pain pills after surgery, and then need nothing more than Tylenol and an anti-inflammatory in recovery.

Post-surgical pain results from movement and swelling. If you can control these factors, you can control the pain.

Osteotomy Bunion Surgery

Note that the great toe in the before picture is elevated and contracted with a malaligned joint. "After" picture taken six weeks after surgery.

Osteotomy and Hammertoe Correction

After image taken 3 months post surgery.

Can a Bunion Come Back After Surgery?

For the right patient and with the right surgeon, the Forever Bunionectomy is the only procedures that offers a near zero percent of bunion recurrence.

The Lapidus procedure, has been the “gold standard” of bunion surgery for the past five years. It is the most advanced and permanent option ever available for bunion correction. Our surgeons have further perfected a version of this surgery trademarking it as the “Forever Bunionectomy”.

By infusing the patient's own stem cells and amniotic cells from the bone marrow during surgery, performing very stable fixation and correcting the deformity at the source, the patient often has speedy recovery, less down time, early weight bearing and reduced scarring.

Lapidus Bunion Surgery

Through bunion surgery, the prominence of the joint has been removed and great toe joint is now realigned. "After picture" taken eight weeks after surgery.

Osteotomy Bunionectomy and Osteotomy Tailors Bunionectomy

Note in the after picture taken immediately after surgery, the great toe joint and 5th metatarsal toe joint are now aligned.

Are You Considering Bunion Revision Surgery?

For anyone who has gone through bunion surgery once, and are a facing the same surgery again, it must be tremendously unsettling. We get it. About 40% of all our bunion surgeries are revision surgeries.

But you can rest assure. We have the highest success rates in the nation and are internationally known for our surgeons and their techniques. If you are thinking about a revision surgery, the first step to possibly ease your apprehension, is to meet with one of our doctors, talk with them, looks them in the eye, and go with your gut.

Severe Bunion and Hammertoe Correction with Tailor's Bunionectomy

Osteotomy Bunionectomy, Hammertoe Correction and Plantar Plate Repair

"After picture" taken immediately following surgery.

Failed Bunion Revision Surgery

Revision surgery of a failed bunionectomy and hammertoe correction.

Lapidus Bunionectomy

"After picture" taken immediately following surgery.

Bunionectomy and Tailor's Bunion Correction

After picture taken four weeks post surgery.

Osteotomy Bunionectomy and Plantar Plate Repair

"After picture" taken immediately after surgery.

Lapidus Bunionectomy, Hammertoe Correction, Tailor's Bunionectomy

Lapidus "Forever Bunionectomy", Hammertoe Correction and Tailor's Bunionectomy. the after image was taken two months post surgery.

Lapidus Bunionectomy

Lapidus "Forever" Bunionectomy. After picture take two months post surgery.

Lapidus Bunionectomy, Tailor's Bunionectomy

Lapidus Forever Bunionectomy and Tailor's Bunionectomy. After picture taken six weeks post surgery.

Osteotomy Bunion Surgery

Osteotomy bunionectomy, after picture taken six weeks post surgery

Osteotomy Bunionectomy and Osteotomy Tailors Bunionectomy

"After picture" taken immediately after surgery. Note the prominence of the big toe joint and 5th metatarsal joint in the before picture. Through surgery, both joints have been aligned.

Lapidus Bunionectomy with Hammertoe Correction

Note prominence of the joint has been removed and great toe joint is now realigned. "After picture" taken eight weeks after surgery.

Lapidus Bunionectomy

The great toe in the before picture is elevated and contracted with amalaligned joint. Through bunion surgery, the joint has been corrected and realignment. "After picture" taken ten weeks after surgery.

Lapidus Bunion Surgery

The prominence of the joint has been removed and the great toe joint is now realigned. "After picture" taken two months after surgery.

Revision of Failed Previous Bunion Surgery

This revision surgery included bunion revision, hammertoe correction and 2nd metatarsal osteotomy. "After" picture was taken immediately following surgery.

Osteotomy Bunion Surgery

"After picture" taken six weeks post surgery.

Revision Hallux Varus Correction

Through hallux varus revision surgery, the great toe joint has been been realigned "After picture" taken six weeks following surgery.

Lapidus Bunionectomy, Hammertoe Correction 5th Intermediate

"After" picture taken 4 weeks following the procedures.

Lapidus Bunionectomy Surgery

Lapidus Bunionectomy with play fixation allows for immediate weight bearing following surgery.

Osteotomy Bunionectomy

Note prominence of the joint has been removed and great toe joint is now realigned. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th toes have all been straightened and realigned as well. "After picture" taken two months after surgery.

The lapidus procedure has eliminated the looseness in the toe joint and realigned the great toe.

Osteotomy Bunionectomy

In this procedure (also known as an "Austin Bunionectomy), a cut in the bone was made, and the bone was shifted to realign the joint. A screw was placed to hold this new alignment in place. Notice the improved alignment of the great toe joint.

Austin Bunionectomy with Akin Procedure

In the Austin procedure, a cut in the bone was made, and the bone was shifted to realign the joint. A screw was placed to hold this new alignment in place. Notice the improved alignment of the great toe joint. The Akin procedure involves making a bone cut in the toe bone and is used if there is a drift of the great toe towards the 2nd toe.

Osteotomy Bunionectomy

In this Austin bunionectomy procedure, a cut in the bone was made, and the bone was shifted to realign the joint. A screw was placed to hold this new alignment in place. Notice the improved alignment of the great toe joint.

Lapidus Bunionectomy

In this Lapidus procedure, the joint behind the great toe joint, the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint, is fused together with the bunion in a more corrected position. Notice the improved alignment of the great toe joint. 2 screws were used to fixate the bones together and facilitate it towards fusion.

Lapidus Bunionectomy with Weil Procedure

In this combined procedure, the joint behind the great toe joint, the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint, is fused together with the bunion in a more corrected position. Notice the improved alignment of the great toe joint. 2 screws were used to fixate the bones together and facilitate it towards fusion. In the Weil procedure, the 2nd metatarsal is shortened using a bone cut and fixed with a screw. Often, patients with a long 2nd metatarsal and a bunion will have pain underneath the ball of the foot. This procedure, in conjunction of correcting the bunion, helps to alleviate this pain.

Lapidus Bunionectomy

In this Lapidus procedure, the joint behind the great toe joint, the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint, is fused together with the bunion in a more corrected position. Notice the improved alignment of the great toe joint. 2 screws were used to fixate the bones together and facilitate it towards fusion.

Osteotomy Bunionectomy

In this Austin bunionectomy procedure, a cut in the bone was made, and the bone was shifted to realign the joint. A screw was placed to hold this new alignment in place. Notice the improved alignment of the great toe joint

Tightrope Procedure and Osteotomy Tailors Bunion Surgery

In this procedure, the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones are brought together with strong suture material that is attached to a button. Notice the improvement in the alignment of the great toe joint. A tailor’s bunion correction was also performed on this patient.

Austin Bunionectomy

In this procedure, a cut in the bone was made, and the bone was shifted to realign the joint. A screw was placed to hold this new alignment in place. Notice the improved alignment of the great toe joint.

Lapidus Bunionectomy

In this procedure, the joint behind the great toe joint, the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint, is fused together with the bunion in a more corrected position. Notice the improved alignment of the great toe joint. 2 screws were used to fixate the bones together and facilitate it towards fusion.

Osteotomy Bunionectomy

In this Austin Bunionectomy, a cut in the bone was made, and the bone was shifted to realign the joint. A screw was placed to hold this new alignment in place. Notice the improved alignment of the great toe joint.

Osteotomy Bunionectomy

In this Osteotomy Bunionectomy, a cut in the bone was made, and the bone was shifted to realign the joint. A screw was placed to hold this new alignment in place. Notice the improved alignment of the great toe joint.

Osteotomy Bunionectomy

In this Osteotomy Bunionectomy (also called an "Austin Bunionectomy), a cut in the bone was made, and the bone was shifted to realign the joint. A screw was placed to hold this new alignment in place. Notice the improved alignment of the great toe joint.

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